Chapter 21 #2
"I won't."
"Aight, I have a meeting with the board at seven to discuss what statement we're going to make. I assume you don't care one way or another."
This was about business. Our father was the head of Whitney. We had a lot of money tied up in business ventures and there needed to be a formal statement.
"No, I don't. Honestly, that's why I called."
I wanted to leave last night. Christian asked me to give it until morning to decide. I still felt the same. I refused to give my father anything else. Even the respect of a public show of support by way of a grieving daughter for the media to capture and comment about.
"What's up?"
"Would you be mad if I didn't stay? The only reason I considered it is because of you and Val and if you need me to…"
"No, I don't and I'm sure Val doesn't either. I won't be surprised if she makes the same decision."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, Scot. It's more important to me that you're okay."
"Thank you."
"Love you, Scot, and you damn sure better call me if you need me."
"I will. Love you too."
After I ended the call with Alex, I called Tezni.
"You know I was ten minutes from pulling up on you. Are you okay?"
I grinned. "Yes, I'm okay."
"Truth?"
I smiled wider and gave her something that would change the subject, because honestly, I didn't want to discuss my feelings-good or bad-about my father. "I promise I'm okay, Tez. Christian is here."
"Here? As in New York?"
"Yes, he came to surprise me after the board meeting but found out about my father and stayed with me last night."
"Damn, that was fast. You went from contract dick to support dick. I'm loving this for you."
I rolled my eyes. "As horrible as that sounds, thank you."
"Do I get to meet Sexy Enemy?"
I cringed. This was my girl but I didn't even think I could stay for her. I needed to breathe and I wouldn't be able to do that here. "Um, we're actually heading out, so not this time."
"You're leaving?"
I sighed. "Yes, there's no point in me being here."
"Scot, are you sure you're okay? I get things were bad between the two of you…"
I cut her off. "I'm really okay. I just… this is what I need. Don't be mad at me, please."
"Girl, why the hell would I be mad? If he's got you then that's all that matters. Let that man be your rock…" she paused. "…hard dick."
I barked a laugh and shook my head. "He's definitely been that but it's more than sex, Tez. I'm in trouble," I said quietly.
"Is it more for him too?"
He was here, showing me that it was. I felt his intentions.
"Yes."
"Then don't overthink things. Just run with it and live in the moment."
"This is hard for me but I'm trying and I promise not to get in my own way."
"Good because we both know you love doing that shit."
I grinned. "I would be offended but you're right."
"Girl, there isn't a damn thing to be offended by. You feel how you feel because of the things you've been through. Just give this a chance, okay?"
"Okay."
"Hugs."
"Big hugs."
I ended the call and headed back upstairs where I found my bed empty but I heard the deep rasp of Christian's voice coming from the bathroom. I moved in that direction, pausing when I overheard the last thing he said.
"I expedited the filing process especially for that reason.
Scotlyn owns the property, it's legalized and on record.
When I found out Parker was planning to challenge the validity of the purchase, I didn't want to take any chances.
This was important to her. I told him not to go that route but it seems his comprehension is lacking.
I guess I'm going to have to remind him that I'm not fucking playing about this. "
I frowned and walked into the bathroom where I found Christian leaning against the counter, facing me in joggers and no shirt, looking like the perfect temptation. His eyes were on me as soon as I crossed the threshold.
"Ez, let me go. We can talk when I touch down. Yeah. Not sure but I'll hit you up."
After he lowered his phone and placed it beside him on the counter, I asked what the hell that was about.
"Who is Parker?"
"Business associate." He kept his expression impassive.
"Why would he challenge the legality of me purchasing that property?"
"Because I refuse to partner with him on other things. It was a threat to force my hand which I handled."
"You said you pushed the process of me obtaining my deed because of my father."
He nodded. "I did."
"That's not what you said."
"More than one thing can be true, Scot. It was important for multiple reasons that there was no way for anyone to dispute the legality of the purchase."
I narrowed my eyes, considering what he was saying. "What kind of business associate is Parker?"
"One you don't need to be worried about. It's handled."
"Are you agreeing to whatever he wants you to do?"
"No. I no longer have a vested interest in partnering with him."
"Him or them?"
He smirked and I narrowed. "Come here?"
"Answer the question."
"Scot… come here." He dropped his chin and I sighed and crossed the bathroom, stopping in front of him.
Christian grabbed my waist and pulled me between his legs before his hands moved down to my ass.
"Based on your question, you know about The Collective.
So yes, them. Parker is a member. They want Ezekiel and me to accept investors who would attach to our legal businesses but neither of us are agreeing to do so.
He was either watching me or watching the deals I was making, which is how he knows about you.
I made it clear that you were off limits. "
"But does that really matter? You just said he was going to challenge my ownership of the property."
"I'll take care of it."
"How?"
"By taking care of it." Christian dropped his head and kissed my neck, gripping my ass. "How you doing?"
When he pulled me in closer, the hardness of his dick pressed into my stomach, reminding me of last night.
"I'm fine. Don't try to change the subject."
He chuckled and kissed my neck again. "The Collective is not an issue nor is it my concern right now, you are. Have you decided what you want to do?"
I sighed. "I talked to Alex this morning. I told him I was leaving."
"He okay with that?"
Christian's eyes were on mine. "Yes, he said he understood. How soon can we leave?"
"The jet is on standby. We can leave this morning but are you sure that's what you want?"
"I'm sure."
He squeezed my ass again then slapped it hard, making me smile. "Get dressed then. I'm going to let them know we'll be leaving in a few hours."
"Thank you." I lifted onto my toes and pecked his mouth. "I'm going to check in with Val before we leave."
He nodded and I left the bathroom to go call my sister. I was no longer interested in worrying about what anyone else thought about the decisions I made. I was doing what was best for me, and at the moment, best was Christian Devereaux.
It was just after four when we landed in Crescent Falls and I was exhausted but in the best way.
Christian and I made good use of the bedroom on the jet, then I spent the rest of the time catching up on emails.
I thought about how my father brushed off my mother's death and chose business over being a support system for his children.
There was nothing I was currently dealing with that couldn't wait, allowing me time to grieve, but I truly had made peace with my father no longer being here, so I chose not to care. In a way, it felt like a silent slap in the face to him for being such a horrible person for most of my life.
I brought a few more things with me because I planned on diving into this project, which meant staying in Crescent Falls for a bit longer than intended.
Part of that had to do with Christian. Even if I didn't speak the affirmation out loud, I enjoyed the idea of spending more time with him.
When he asked about the things I was packing, he only joked, making a comment about being grateful he invested time on redesigning the closets to be able to accommodate everything I was shoving into my suitcases.
I also didn't miss the way he casually referenced me having more stuff in his closet than he owned.
Even if I should have asked for clarification, I didn't. I simply accepted an invitation to stay as long as I wanted, and for now, that was good enough.
While he unloaded my things from the jet and placed them in the SUV Miles arrived in, I sat in the back seat texting Alex and Val to let them know I'd made it safely.
Once the guys were done packing my things inside, Miles settled in the driver's seat and Christian opened the rear door and leaned inside. "If you need anything, call me."
"You're not coming?"
"No, I need to make a few stops before I head to the house. I have my vehicle here."
I narrowed my eyes. "Which one?"
He grinned. "My Range."
"Smart man."
Christian leaned in closer, gripped my chin, and delivered a kiss. "I'll text you the door code but Miles also has one. He can let you in."
I nodded. "I'm starting to think you're getting a little too comfortable with this arrangement."
"I am very comfortable. Is that a problem?"
"No but I'm going to have to figure out some long-term accommodations."
Christian chuckled and kissed me again. "If you need me, call."
"Did you hear what I said?"
"Yes, Scot, I heard you. We'll talk when I get home."
I didn't get a chance to respond because he shut the door and tapped the top. Miles was pulling away seconds later.
"Well since your boss doesn't want to talk about that, maybe you and I should, since you'll be the one hauling my stuff to a new place at some point in the near future."
I shifted my eyes to the rearview and waited until Miles gave me his. He smiled smugly but didn't speak.
"Are you not going to comment?"
"About?"
"Having to double move me."
He chuckled and shook his head. "Christian pays me well."
I narrowed my eyes. "You know that's not what I'm asking."
"Then what are you asking, Ms. Whitney?"